6 Benefits Of Regular Stucco Inspections

Do you have stucco siding in your house? Have you ever noticed that it is now sporting numerous stains and cracks? 

If that is so, you’re not alone. 

Stucco failure is one of the common concerns for homeowners. As a result, stucco inspections can determine whether a stucco installation at a house or place of business has any damage. Moreover, stucco damage can be internal, external, or both types of damage. The most important thing to look for is internal damage, which can be hard to spot without a thorough examination. Additionally, it’s critical to identify this damage as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading and worsening.

In this post, let’s review the ten main benefits of planning routine stucco inspections to safeguard your investment and guarantee your house remains in excellent shape.

Stucco: What is it?

Hard Coat or Synthetic Stucco, usually referred to as EIFS (external Insulation & Finish System), can be used for a property’s external cladding.

The thicker material known as “hard coat stucco” ought to be laid over a structural sheathing, like OSB or plywood, shielded by felt paper or some moisture barrier. Sheathing, adhesive, insulating board, reinforcing mesh inserted in the base coat, and a finish coat are the components that make up EIFS, a non-load-bearing barrier wall exterior cladding.

Why is an inspection of stucco required?

Many stucco treatments have been put wrongly during the last 30 years due to installers’ inexperience and lack of training. In several cases, the building codes were improper at the time.

Proper flashing, a drainage plane to allow moisture to escape from the stucco system, and appropriate expansion and contraction joints are just a few of the details necessary for a proper stucco system. Many installations lack some or all of these necessary components.

These system components that are lacking cause moisture to get trapped behind the stucco and then move into the home’s wood structure and sheathing. As you can understand, this is a bad situation that might cause the house to sustain damage worth tens of thousands of dollars.

To safeguard yourself from costly stucco remediation later on, you must have a stucco inspection before purchasing a stucco home. Nothing could be more accurate in the current period of unparalleled stucco failure than the adage “forewarned is forearmed.”

The advantages of routine stucco inspection

1. Detect construction issues 

Early mistakes during building can significantly impact stucco walls and exteriors. Regular stucco inspections are essential if you want to prevent these situations from occurring again. When performing inspections, keep an eye out for the following typical construction issues:

Water Damage and Mold: Stucco is a very permeable material. If not properly set up, it may be vulnerable to water damage, particularly in the rain. Regular inspections can help prevent water damage, which is frequently associated with mold.

Mistakes in stucco installation are only easily detected with an early inspection. You should evaluate the stucco as soon as possible to minimize installation errors that could cause additional complications.

Stucco cracks: Cracks in stucco are simple to avoid and repair if detected early. If you don’t, the material may suffer irreversible deterioration, which could have long-term financial consequences.

2. To maintain the integrity of the building

Since stucco is the principal exterior of most structures, any damage to the material may jeopardize the structure’s integrity. For example, mold, moisture, and stucco cracks could increase the danger of damage to the building’s interior and walls.

Cracks could also allow moisture to enter the building, causing more damage. Stucco inspections can help prevent such incidents.

3. To comply with building codes

Building rules in certain states impose stringent regulations to ensure the standards and quality of all buildings in the city. 

The state strictly enforces the laws since they are intended to benefit citizens. State inspectors have the authority to penalize a home or building owner who fails to meet the stucco requirements required by law.

4. Prevent external damage

Regular stucco inspections are critical for preventing exterior damage to the home or property. Stucco damage begins gradually and increases over time. If you do not inspect your stucco often, you may miss instances of external deterioration early on. That means that the damage will continue to worsen until it is irreversible.

5. To Increase the Property Value

The outward construction of a building has a considerable impact on the property value. When conducting property appraisals, the valuer will take into account the overall condition of the structure as well as the construction. If the building does not meet the valuer’s expectations, the valuation will be relatively low.

The more time you put into increasing the overall quality of the stucco exterior, the higher the property’s value. 

What better method to determine which areas of the stucco walls require upgrading than to inspect them? When you inspect the stucco walls of a building, you anticipate any negative features of the construction, which increases its value.

6. To Enhance Building Aesthetics

Everyone wants to be in a nice-looking building. Nobody wants to be linked with a building that has bad exteriors. As most houses are stucco-based, the condition of the stucco walls is intimately tied to the aesthetics of the house’s outside.

By conducting regular inspections, you will be in the greatest position to assess the condition of the stucco walls. After evaluating the stucco, the next stage would be to make improvements to its quality. In the long run, the appearance of the house will improve dramatically.

In the end!

To sum up, routine stucco inspections are an essential component of home maintenance, providing a host of advantages that can prolong the exterior life of your house. You may avoid expensive repairs and maintain the visual appeal of your house by identifying problems early on, such as moisture damage, cracks, or faulty installation. 

Additionally, routine inspections assist in preserving the overall structural integrity of your house, and guarantee increased safety and energy efficiency. Making stucco inspections a priority not only protects your investment but also provides you with comfort, knowing that your house is adequately guarded from weather and deterioration over time.